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With the lockout likely to linger well into November and perhaps well into 2012, trying to preview the season of 30 teams that might not actually have one seems about as worthwhile as raking leaves on a windy day. But I love raking and the wind only makes it last longer. Razzball has you covered, even if you didn't want to be covered. That's love. You'll appreciate it when you're older. Look at it like this, the only way any of this stuff can be disproven is if the season starts. So go ahead, NBA, make me a fibber! I dare you. Until then, consider this fantasy basketball gospel. From now until the start of the season, we're bringing you the 2011 Fantasy Team Previews, which will focus on each team in order to paint a clearer fantasy picture. Who's starting? Who might surprise you? And who might make you want to hurl yourself off a bridge in a few months … or years? Next up – The Philadelphia 76ers (chillin' out, maxin', relaxin' all cool).
Gained – Nikola Vucevic, Lavoy Allen
Lost – Darius Songaila,
Probable position depth –
PG – Jrue Holiday, Lou Williams
SG – Jodie Meeks, Evan Turner, Jason Kopono
SF – Andre Iguodala*, Thaddeus Young*, Andres Nocioni
PF – Elton Brand, Marreese Speights, Craig Brackins, Lavoy Allen
C – Spencer Hawes*, Nikola Vucevic, Tony Battie
* free agent
Surprising Team Fact From Last Season –Four of the six teams with the league's lowest attendance made the playoffs last year (the Pacers, Grizzlies, Hornets and Sixers).
Number of Top 20 Fantasy Players (par 0-1) – 0
Number of Top 50 Fantasy Players (par 1-2) – 2, Iguodala, Holiday
Number of Top 75 Fantasy Players (par 2-3) – 0
Number of Top 100 Fantasy Players (par 3-4) – 4, Brand, Young
Number of Top 200 Fantasy Players (par 6-7) – 7, Meeks, Hawes, Williams
3 Concerns Heading Into the Season
1. Is Elton Brand still fragile or just old now?
Well look, At 32 years old, I can say Brand is old. I mostly cannot say he's old because my grandma is reading this over my shoulder and would be hurt at me calling a 32-year-old "old." (Gram proofreads every Razzball post to ensure I a) don't type swear words and b) don't write anything nice about Lyndon B. Johnson. Gram was not a fan of LBJ. She really makes the LeBron James blurbs a tense undertaking). Brand has only missed seven games in his last two seasons after missing 127 games in the previous two seasons. I'm willing to forget those two seasons and assume that he's not waiting to fall apart so much as he's waiting to take a nap. Interpret that information however you'd like.
2. Evan Turner looks like he's turned (or Turnered) into a monster 7/4/2 option at the two. Can I look forward to such lauded production from last season's no. 2 overall pick again in 2011?
I certainly don't think he'll produce a smaller line than that. So if you're in one of those 30-team fantasy leagues that drafts every player in the NBA, I would definitely recommend drafting him in that league. Even with the Lockout still on, I can say with certainty that Evan Turner plays basketball in the NBA. Other than that, I'd take a wait-and-see approach to last year's no.2 overall pick. This entire off-season has been filled with people telling us how hard Turner has worked and how much support the team is putting behind the former Buckeye, which is nice. But all of this was true a year ago too.
3. I liked Thaddeus Young last year and the year before. My assumption is that I'll ignore him this season and he'll develop into a top 50 candidate. Talk me off this ledge I've created for myself to stand on.
As it stands today, we've seen the best this particular Sixers team can be. With the exception of Vucevic making a bigger impact than Hawes, the team that beat the Heat once in the first round of last year's playoffs (almost twice) is the team they remain today. And that team has five relatively unknown commodities that could make a name for themselves in 2011. Realistically, between Meeks, Williams, Hawes, Speights and Young, I'd be surprised if more than two of those guys are fantasy-worthy for the majority of the season. And really, I think only Young has it in him to break the top 100. Young turns 23 this season. He seems older than that, he's been in the league five years now. His PER dipped from 16 to 15 to 14 before hopping back up to 18.4 last season. In just 26 mpg, Young averaged 13/5/1. If Iguodala goes elsewhere or Collins plays Thad at the four, he could see a bump to 32 mpg. He's already had that and it didn't work out too well, but that was back when he was 20 and 21 and drunk all the time and chasing after tail (I'm assuming). He's old now, more mature – not Elton Brand old (look away, Gram!), but old enough that I think he's got a better shot at keeping it together and playing extended minutes. With Iguodala around, I don't think Young will be a threat to the top 50 though. At least not this season.
Rookie Review! – I have to admit, I kind of like Nikola Vucevic (no. 16 overall) as a sleeper pick in deep leagues. From what little I've seen, he reminds me of Roy Hibbert on the offensive end. He has decent range and enjoys the occasionally baby hook from both sides. What makes him even more attractive than his moves is the team he'll be making them on. Spencer Hawes is Vucevic's biggest hurdle. Now, Spencer Hawes is a huge hurdle, unless we are speaking in metaphors, in which case, Spencer Hawes is not at all a huge hurdle. Hawes is more athletic and Vucevic might struggle to keep up with an otherwise speedy Philly team. That, mixed with the kid's inexperience, is why I wouldn't take him in any league with fewer than 14 teams. Still though, he's worth keeping an eye on just in case. Please don't make me go into detail as to why you should not draft the 50th pick in the NBA Draft (Lavoy Allen).
Fantasy Disappointment in '11 – Andre Iguodala. You may have noticed above that I'm projecting Iguodala to go first in most drafts among Philadelphia 76ers. I do and he will. You watch. He's a total contributor on the court, which has made him a valuable top 25 fantasy player for the last six seasons. The problem is, Iggy's always been a defensive no. 2 thrust into the role of top offensive option. I think this is the year that guys like Holiday, Young, Brand and maybe one other sleeper steps up offensively and allows Iguodala to do what he does best: fill in the cracks. If he stays on the Sixers, I envision one of the strongest real basketball seasons for Iguodala in 2011, but given his type of play, I don't think fantasy owners will like this translation to fantasy. I see something closer to 12/6/6, with 3 stl+blk+3ptm rather than 20/5/5, with 4 stl+blk+3ptm.
Biggest Fantasy Contributor in '11 – Jrue Holiday. I'm big on Holiday this year. He's projecting to go somewhere in between picks 45-65 in most drafts. I'd place him about one round ahead of those projections; somewhere around 40-55. He improved offensively and defensively between his freshman and sophomore year, jumping from 12/4/6, with 3.3 stl+blk+3ptm per36 averages in 2009 to 14/4/7, with 2.9 s+b+3 and improved percentages using the same per36 parameters last season. The guy got better. In both November and April of last year, he averaged 15/4/8 despite shooting under .450 from the field in those months. This season, I project he shoots better, feels more comfortable and continues his growth. Jrue story.
Deep Sleeper – Evan Turner. If Williams and Meeks get hurt, and Doug Collins stops telling Holiday to play keepaway with Turner and you squint your eyes tight enough to envision George Hill or Rip Hamilton or somebody (which would probably mean you just closed your eyes), then yeah, Turner might have a bounce-back season.


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It's been a fairly depressing morning, what with all that incurable gonorrhea and feline mind control. Here's some more toe-tapping news. This spring, Smallville will take a cue from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and resurrect itself as a comic by former story editor and Batgirl scribe Bryan Q. Miller.
Yes, like a parasite leaping from host to host, this unkillable soap opera has survived by jumping mediums. From DC Comics' Source blog:
The new digital first series will be published digitally on April 13, 2012, with new digital chapters released weekly thereafter. Additionally, the online chapters will be offered in a print periodical, along with an episode guide to the hit television series, with the first print issue released on May 16.
The new comic book series picks-up where the show left off (with Clark officially now as Superman!) and features other fan-favorite characters including Oliver Queen/Green Arrow, Chloe Sullivan-Queen, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and General Lane [...] "Six months after Clark Kent donned the cape and took to the skies to save Earth from Apokolips… enter Season 11!" enthuses Miller.
Oh well. At least this guy will be happy.

subset: commoncrawl


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Detailed needlework that's durable and withstands repeat washing. High-quality look and feel.
Decoration Care Instructions: Do not iron on decorated areas.
Please review item for specific product care instructions.
This lightweight hoodie has lived-in, sueded softness and vintage appeal. 5-ounce, 60/40 sueded ring spun cotton/poly jersey knit, 20 singles. 3-panel hood. Zip-through collar. Heat transfer label for tag-free comfort. Contrast drawcords (except White). Contrast metal zipper. Front pouch pockets. Embroidered New Era flag logo on left pocket. Rib knit cuffs and hem.


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2012 was a fairly good year for the UK Rap scene with many of the newer artists eclipsing the older generation in terms of Youtube views and mixtape downloads as well as in social media with the new wave showing a better understanding of how things work as well as showing a lot of business savy as well as some very impressive work rates which have seen them become local and national stars without the aid of television and radio instead relying on the UK Urban websites such as Sbtv, Grm Daily, Link Up Tv, The Grime Report and We Going In UK whom have all been instrumental in helping these artists gain ground in the scene and remain relevant.
Although 2012 unfortunately saw the influence of US mega stars like Rick Ross, Meek Mill and Chief Keef eroding the UK scene and many artists spending the year doing their best impressions of these artists instead of doing their own thing which is something hopefully we will hear and see less of in 2013 that along with twitter beefing and artists begging for link ups based on artists fan base and not due to a respect for their talent.
That said here are the top 10 most talked about, viewed and downloaded rising stars of 2012 and armed with little more some good music, a solid fan base, Youtube and I- tunes accounts these artists have got things popping over the past 12 months with some of them even charting independently.
1. Sneakbo
The phenomenon that is Sneakbo continues to grow and shook up the UK Rap game in 2012 with his hardcore and unapologetic tales of the streets of Brixton along with the occasional exploration into his deepest thoughts coupled with his ability to craft extremely catchy yet credible bangers which appeal to girls and guys alike with Sneakbo's fan base consisting of everyone from students to street guys not forgetting celebrity's like Young Money's Drake and Arsenal Footballer Alex Ox Chamberlin Ox both who mentioned their love for his music in interviews over the past year.
Unlike many of the other artists on this list Sneakbo has embraced other genres of music from very early on in his career and it has worked well with the South Londoner's versatility one of the main things which put him head and shoulders above many of his peers as where they might struggle to make music outside their comfort zone Sneakbo doesn't and is smart enough to understand that Road Music won't chart in the UK with the smartest thing to do being a combination of the chart and street music (worked well for Wiley) with Sneakbo cracking the top 40 with the release of his track Zim Zimma in 2012.
2013 should see more bangers as well as more touring from Sneakbo as he gets the world ready for the release of his forthcoming debut album which will be follow his forthcoming #Certified Ep.
Sneakbo is one step away from the Major leagues and still keeps the streets on lock.
Its as simple as this Fekky has that certain X factor which separates stars from artists and with just two mixtapes and a handful of videos and guest spots has managed to propel himself into the spotlight and the conciousness of UK Rap fans around the country pushing the careers of many artists into the shade last year with the release of his certified UK street anthem Ring, Ring, Ring, Trap which featured heavyweights Blade Brown, Youngs Teflon, Fem Fel and C-Biz with Fekky proving he can more than hold his own and for anyone who thought the South East Londoner relied on high powered features to make a hit, he banged them in the head with the monster Hot Boy which shut up all haters and nay sayers.
Fekkys brand is straight up no nonsense Trap Music with motivational lyricism and some of the most catchy ad libs in the industry with Fekky finding the balance to where his fans can relate to his bars as he doesn't just floss on them he actually shows what it is to pay the cost to be the Boss which is something he made clear with the release of his DJ Whoo Kid hosted Come On Den mixtape.
Fekky made some of the best music of 2012 and is the reason a lot of UK Rap artists are no longer relevant.
3. Ratlin
West London UK Rap sensation Ratlin kept things consistent last year delivering banger after banger and in the process putting his estate Mozart as well as West London firmly on the UK Rap radar and is definitely their first bonafide UK Rap star earning his respect the old fashioned way by working hard in a game where many use link ups to shamelessly sneak their way into the game on the backs of others.
Summertime in Mexico was one of the most well received mixtapes of last year with every one from industry types (Charlie Sloth and Morgan Keys) to Road guys championing the West Londoner as one of the next ones to achieve greatness with his ability to craft deep insightful tracks as well as club tracks not forgetting his skill with turning social observations from the street corner into music which have seen his name continue to grow with each release unlike many of the artists who emerged around the same time as him only to get lost in the crowd with Ratlin mostly staying clear of US beats eschewing the Lex Luger sound for more Ragga and UK orientated instrumentals as is exemplified on his track Messiah.
Ratlin's latest release Crown me is currently doing the business and expect to see and hear a lot from him in 2013.
Ratlin is West London's first bonafide UK Rap star and the reason people are paying attention to West London artists.
Nines introduced himself to the UK Rap scene with a notorious shopping spree and more good willed gestures for his North West London neighbourhood which instantly marked him out as different as these were things no other artists were doing (although they all claim to) and this is evident in the up roar it caused earlier in 2012, to make it simple Nines had arrived.
Proving to be more than just a showman Nines dropped some very compelling rhymes over various tracks with him managing to balance flossing with real life tales and a little insight into his hopes and aspirations laced with street corner observations which had may a UK Rap fan clamouring for a full length mixtape and Nines responded with the release of his debut mixtape From Church Road To Hollywood which has had the streets buzzing since its release with everyone from D- Boys, to Back packers and the older generation of Rappers rating the project and Nines for his ability to paint vivid pictures through his cool calm delivery and expressive wordplay which has seen many comparing him to the Legendary US Rapper Nas.
2013 should see much more from from Nines who has just got started with a lot of big tracks lined up with some of the biggest artists in the scene.
Nines is an artist who changed the game long before the release of his first mixtape.
Cashtastic's stock continued to rise in 2012 with his release A Lil Bit Of Cash which has done some seriously impressive numbers and seen him rated by DJ's and artists alike not forgetting his ever growing fan base whom have taken to his heartfelt lyricism and real life views on relationships, struggling to achieve and motivational rhymes which he does a lot better than many of his peers.
Cashtastic is one of the most in demand live performers on this list as he has gotten his live shows down to a tee with him able to rock a wide range of diverse crowds whether a peoples army event like Logic's album release party or an under 18's event like Bigga fish showing his versatility as well as the respect his music commands.
Cashtastic's more mature approach to lyricism and ability to convey his life in the streets without glorifying it has seen him recording with the likes of Wiley, English Frank, Krept & Konan, Margs and many more of the scenes biggest artists last year with many more waiting to record with him in 2013 which should see him continue on his way to the top.
Cashtastic has a much better understanding of making music that touches people than most of his peers.
2012 saw a meteoric rise in Squeeks fan base as he really went to work with the CMG representative attacking just about every hot instrumental he could get his hands on as well as delivering some stand out guest verses which had him in demand by many in the game who wanted the North Londoner's inimitable gruff delivery and hardcore lyricism to add some magic to their projects.
Although Squeeks did a lot of collaborations in 2012 the UK Rapper managed to save some of the best verses for himself shutting things down with the release of his mixtape Call Me Squeeko which saw him really refining his delivery and flow to the fullest as well as broadening his subject matter while working with a wide range of instrumentals showcasing his versatility as well as his confidence on tracks with heavyweights which has caught the attention of many of the DJs and his fellow artists including Wretch 32 who wants to work on some music with Squeeks.
2013 should see Squeeks continue to fly the flag for CMG with releases planned as well as more of them stand out guest spots.
Squeeks is the future of North London in the UK Rap game it's as simple as that.
7.Political Peak
Over the past 18 months South London's Political Peak has continually positioned himself for the big league in UK Rap dropping 4 well received mixtapes back to back with Red Bull Wave 1 & 2 and last years offerings Guns & Roses and Dreams To Reality spawning the street smash's Sex In The Car and Party Wave both of which have seen his popularity with the fans grow (especially among the females) but this hasn't softened the South Londoner who showed he could hold his own on tracks with heavyweights English Frank, DVS, Jaja Soze, Ratlin, Exo, Young Don and many more.
Political Peak continues to grow with each batch of new tracks released showing that he is not only one of the best at crafting straight bangers which rock clubs and parties but also manages to explore his deeper side with him never afraid to explore and discuss what is going on around him and his feelings, this coupled with his ability to drop compelling at motivational rhymes are reasons he should continue to win in 2013.
8.Ard Adz & Sho Shallow
2012 was a good year for South London's Ard Adz & Sho Shallow ending 2011 with the release of their mixtape L.I.F.E which held them down till the release of their mixtape P.A.I.N which was followed up by the site crashing P.U.S.H (Ask Hoodtapes) which was one of the best received UK Rap mixtapes of 2012 with the duo showing they really knew what their fans wanted which was more of their straight from the heart lyricsm as well as real glimpses into their reality laced with their brash playfulness and party hard attitude which has seen their fan base continue to grow at a rapid level.
Ard Adz and Sho Shallow should continue to dominate the internet with their releases in 2013 as with tracks like Someone Like You, Dream chasers, Turning tables, 90's babies, No Heart, Takeover, Beat it Up and Wipe your tears have been viewed millions of times over and all this has been achieved independently having received virtually no radio or television coverage just them and their work rate plus their brand of good music which unlike most of their peers isn't just based on what goes on in the streets.
Ard Adz & Sho Shallow are on their way and have the music, work rate and chemistry as a duo to do it.
9. Rimz
East London's Rimz has emerged onto the scene in 2012 and immediately carved himself out a piece of the action without any major co sign or artist affiliation putting himself in the UK Rap scene through nothing but believable trap inspired rhymes as well as some well thought out and motivational lyricism with Rimz encouraging his listeners to want more but not in an unrealistic or crass fashion instead opting for bars which are laced with reality coupled with Rimz distinctive flow and wordplay which mark him out as a definite student of hip hop unlike many of his peers who rely on more basic flows and lyricism.
While Rimz might not have the most extensive catalogue of tracks but has amassed a strong and loyal following with his 2012 mixtape The Upper Clapton Dream showcasing the fact that not only is Rimz here but he's here to make a change which is evident in the amount of requests he has been receiving lately with many a trap artist feeling his pain as well as his realness.
Expect more good music and a few projects from Rimz in 2013.
Rimz is one of the few new artists from East London to make his mark on the UK Rap game in 2012.
10. Geko
U.S.G's youngest in charge Geko really showcased the new generation of UK Rap last year with the 15 year old Rapper showing age is just a number and that he isn't a cute mascot as he locked horn's lyrically with Benny Banks whom had been disrespectful to K Koke with Geko replying within an hour and for anyone thinking that the Manchester bred rhyme slinger was an attention seeking rapper after publicity he dropped the emotional and heartfelt Mothers day track Mommy which to date has amassed over 150,000 views.
Geko dropped very impressive Fire in the Booth and Behind Barz freestyles last year as well as showing he can hold his own on tracks with the big dogs Squingy, Exo and Jaja Soze with DJ's such as Charlie Sloth championing the youngster.
Geko's mixtape Voice Of The Future has been doing the business since it was released last year with his ever growing army of fans who crashed the official U.S.G website with download requests on the date of its release with the project preceding the Rappers forthcoming debut album which will be out in 2013.
Geko is the voice of the new generation and symbolizes change.
Best Of The Rest (Honourable Mentions)
1.Paigey Cakey - Everyones favourite new female UK Rapper, expect to hear a lot from her this year
2. Boss Belly - Although he was forced to take a break in 2012 Belly is back for 2013
3.Mental K - One of the next kings of the trap
4.Big Cro - There should be a lot of good music coming from Big Cro in 2013
5.Ceej - South London's Ceej is gonna be a problem in 2013
6.Mash Moeef - With tracks like Kelly & Ronny Mash Moeef should do well in 2013
7.Kerz - Kerz has been readying himself for a while expect a lot from him in 2013
8.Shower Malik - With a full length project on the way Shower Maliks ready to blow
9.Issac Danquah - Honesty and good music will take Issac Danquah far this year.
10.K.B - Birmingham's K.B is back out for 2013 and has a story to tell.
Which new artists are you expecting to see do well in 2013 and who do you think was the rising star of 2012?


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Back then, in response to the complaints, Metro said:
Employees have to park legally and follow the law. A staff notice was issued last year to all employees reminding them of this.
And yes, we do issue tickets everyday to vehicles that are parked illegally, including those owned by Metro employees. This also includes WMATA work vehicles.
If customers observe this activity and wish to report it, they can call Metro's Transit Police at 202-962-2121.
For a while, the illegal parking at Takoma appeared to stop, but according to Mike, who took the pic above on Jan. 11, Metro employees are abusing it again.
Yes, things appear to shift at Metro, but they often revert to the status quo ante.
In a hilarious footnote to the story, we got this little tidbit from Mike on Jan. 24:
Took Metro to DC to see the Georgetown game. Got back to Takoma, and a Metro employee was washing his car in a K&R spot. Amazing!Wonder if that was on the clock? We asked if the car was a repeat offender, to which Mike said:
No, it was a car I never saw before. Heard music blasting from the platform. Went down the elevator, and it was this guy's car stereo. lolGood job, Metro.
Other items:
- Fed reps on Metro Board named (WaPo) Key quote: "The federal government would like its employees to arrive at work on time, fundamentally alive," said Mortimer Downey.
- New Board member sees system in "serious disorder" (Examiner


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Mount Sinai Children's Environmental Health Center Holds Its Second Annual "Greening Our Children" Benefit Event
Led by Mount Sinai's Philip J. Landrigan, MD, Professor and Chair of Community and Preventive Medicine, Center research projects identify potential environmental causes of childhood diseases.
The Mount Sinai Children's Environmental Health Center (CEHC) held its second annual "Greening Our Children" benefit luncheon at the Greenwich Country Club in Greenwich, Connecticut on Wednesday, May 13. The CEHC, led by Mount Sinai's Philip Landrigan, MD, Professor and Chair of Community and Preventive Medicine, is currently involved in several research projects to identify and explain the potential environmental causes of childhood diseases, including asthma, autism, obesity, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), diabetes and cancers. Proceeds from this event will continue to fund upcoming research initiatives and projects at the CEHC.
Through plastics, personal care products, building materials and pesticides, our children are exposed every day to potentially dangerous chemicals that could have a profound effect on their health and well-being, said Dr. Landrigan, pediatrician, epidemiologist, leader in public health and preventive medicine. The money raised from the luncheon will help fund two major CEHC projects. The first project is dedicated to discovering the environmental causes of neurodevelopmental disabilities, including Autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities. The second will look at the effects on children's health of exposures in early life to Bisphenol-A, phthalates, pesticides, perchlorate, and other endocrine-disrupting toxins.
This year's Honorary Co-Chairpersons were long-time environmental activist Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Mary Richardson Kennedy. Cynthia Blumenthal, wife of Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, and national eco-living expert Laura Turner Seydel were also on hand for the event. Rhonda Sherwood, Vice Chairman of the Executive Board of the CEHC, and Connecticut parent Caroline Kavetas, served as co-chairs of the event. The afternoon included an elegant organic lunch and a silent auction of eco-friendly items such as water filtration systems and pesticide-free lawn care products. Gift bags included a great selection of phthalate and paraben-free personal care products. The event was sold out for the second year with nearly 400 people in attendance.
About the Mount Sinai Children's Environmental Health Center
Under the leadership of Dr. Philip Landrigan, the Mount Sinai Children's Environmental Health Center (CEHC) is world renowned for its research and patient care in the field of environmental health and preventive medicine. Mount Sinai's Department of Community and Preventive Medicine is currently involved in these clinical, research and community outreach efforts: The National Children's Study, Mount Sinai Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit, World Trade Center Medical Programs, Mount Sinai Center for Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research and Growing Up Healthy in East Harlem.
About The Mount Sinai Medical Center
The Mount Sinai Medical Center encompasses The Mount Sinai Hospital and Mount Sinai School of Medicine. The Mount Sinai Hospital is one of the nation's oldest, largest and most-respected voluntary hospitals. Founded in 1852, Mount Sinai today is a 1,171-bed tertiary-care teaching facility that is internationally acclaimed for excellence in clinical care. Last year, nearly 50,000 people were treated at Mount Sinai as inpatients, and there were nearly 450,000 outpatient visits to the Medical Center.
Mount Sinai School of Medicine is internationally recognized as a leader in groundbreaking clinical and basic-science research, as well as having an innovative approach to medical education. With a faculty of more than 3,400 in 38 clinical and basic science departments and centers, Mount Sinai ranks among the top 20 medical schools in receipt of National Institute of Health (NIH) grants.
About the Mount Sinai Health System
The Mount Sinai Health System is New York City's largest academic medical system, encompassing eight hospitals, a leading medical school, and a vast network of ambulatory practices throughout the greater New York region. Mount Sinai is a national and international source of unrivaled education, translational research and discovery, and collaborative clinical leadership ensuring that we deliver the highest quality care—from prevention to treatment of the most serious and complex human diseases. The Health System includes more than 7,200 physicians and features a robust and continually expanding network of multispecialty services, including more than 400 ambulatory practice locations throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, and Long Island. The Mount Sinai Hospital is ranked No. 14 on U.S. News & World Report's "Honor Roll" of the Top 20 Best Hospitals in the country and the Icahn School of Medicine as one of the Top 20 Best Medical Schools in country. Mount Sinai Health System hospitals are consistently ranked regionally by specialty and our physicians in the top 1% of all physicians nationally by U.S. News & World Report.
For more information, visit https://www.mountsinai.org or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.


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Get The Biggest Fork You Can Find….
And stick it in the second story of my house, because that baby's done! No, don't just stick it in there, jab it in repeatedly with a sinister look on your face while you make those violin noises from Hitchcock's movie Psycho. Weeee, Weeee, Weeee, Weeee.
No more 32 foot ladders. No more bone chilling winds. No more slippery porch roofs. It's done. It's finished. I can move on. But before I move on, let's update the chart.
It's a beautiful thing, isn't it folks?
I've added a Section 7b. These are the two little walls I built a year or two ago to re-enclose a small section of the porch. This also has the Queen Anne Door I made. Part of this section is not under the porch, so I want to do it next. We're supposed to get rain Wednesday, so I'll see if I can pound it out Monday and Tuesday. Fingers crossed.
Section 7b


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Do you know the 90th anniversary of Gucci is coming? In order to celebrate this meaningful time, Gucci has released a campaign called"Forever Now" combined with the Gucci Artisan Traveling Tour to presents you the grand tradition of Gucci. By the time, Gucci's artisans is about to taking a journey to the world wide.
It is learnt that Gucci's artisan will reach America today and it keeps open at Gucci San Francisco with a span of two days. Then in the days to come, the Gucci's Artisans will Beverly Hills and Chicago with the destination the Gucci 5th Avenue Flagship. It is on the date April 29 that the campaign comes to a pause.
If you are interested in following the steps of the Gucci's Artisans, you have to pay attention to their agenda. In fact, the artisans of Gucci will have had the touch of Gucci bags finished. What is more? In fact, in each Gucci store. In this way, you can acquire more knowledge about the tradition and culture of Gucci. Besides, you can see how skillful the artisans are.
It has double black leather handles with gorgeous suede leather in black and antique brass hardware. Two elements are characteristics of the Gucci Suede Babouska Boston Bag. One is the heart-shaped Gucci charm and the other is the studs embellishment. More details are a zipper closure, a zipper pocket and a cell phone pocket. I always love studs on a bag. In my opinion, they will never be out of style and they go with everything. Like the Gucci Suede Babouska Boston Bag, you can't go wrong when choosing your outfits.
No wonder that studs are the key element on the bag. But I think the studs here are maybe too many. Unlike other studded handbags, maybe it might look a bit outdated in a year or two. It holds a dimension of 14.6" x 8.3" x 9.8", very practical. Again the embroidery adds fun to the bag. Obviously, I have jumped on it though it might not be so perfect in my eyes. But it is cooler than other Gucci bags or Gucci purses.


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By Lisa Desjardins, CNN
Follow on Twitter: @LisaDCNN
Editor's Note: Listen to the full story in our player above, and join the conversation in our comments section below.
(CNN) – There is a hidden, vast other side to the fiscal cliff.
A group of issues that have nothing to do with tax rates, but still represent millions of lives, have been orphaned for attention by Washington's superfocus on taxes.
As tax cuts are set to end, unbeknownst to many, so are unemployment benefits for millions of unemployed Americans. And at the same time, every Medicare doctor is facing a threatened cut in pay. The difference now? Some Medicare doctors are giving up and dropping out of the program.
[5:50] Dr. Alice Fuisz, Washington DC: "What's tough here is the patients caught in the middle of it. And I don't think it's right for the patients to have to pay me when they have medicare benefits and so that's the tough part."
[:30] Judith Conti, lobbyist and advocate for the unemployed, National Employment Law Project, "What we're hearing about is taxes. After that, there's still a whole bunch of issues that still need to be figured out."
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This cut in Medicare will not occur as it would bankrupt every hospital in America. Average profit margin a large hospital in this country is around 2 or 3 percent. A drop of that much Medicare revenue would send almost every hospital into massive layoffs, and financial ruin. This is why the politicos can't let us fall over the fiscal cliff. What you're seeing is high drama with no real possibility of the Medicare cut happening. Similarly cutting unemployment off early would eliminate the most effective stimulus program this country has. It is paid for by the employers and employees and all that money goes straight into the economy as people on unemployment use it for necessities immediately.
I get tired of hearing doctors say they will no longer take Medicare, in most clinics Medicare accounts for at least half their patients, and most of their procedures. Which is were they make the majority of their income, at least in specialty care. If a clinic can survive without Medicare, they must fill in those those schedule gaps with private insurance patients, which means they are a very financially strong clinic, because of the higher private insurance reimbursements, and their backlog of patients to fill in those gaps. Make no mistake if they refuse Medicare, they must think they have the demand to fill all those empty appointments, which means their revenue will bounce up dramatically. Historically physicians fought Medicare and Medicaid, just like they are now fighting Obamacare. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but its about the cash, not about whats best for the poor/elderly/kids. The sad truth of our fee for service healthcare system, is that it is controlled hook, line and sinker by the MDs who, write every order that generates every penny of cash in our bloated healthcare system. Very few people realize it, as doctors are seen as savior, but google the passage of Medicare and Medicaid, the docs fought healthcare for the poor and elderly with every resource available to them at the time. You heard the same arguments against Medicare/Medicaid as you do against Obamacare. That its the harbinger of communism and the loss of freedom for all Americans. Fee for service must end, it is intrinsically corrupt with doctors determining who needs procedures and getting paid to do unnecessary care. I have seen it happen in every clinic I have managed, other than community health.
You are an idiot Philly. "I hate to be the bearer of bad news but its about the cash, not about whats best for the poor/elderly/kids." I'm sorry didn't know I was working for free LOL.
Whether we speak of Obamacare or any other health care, the problem is the same: healthcare is a FOR PROFIT industry. There is NO way you can cover everyone with adequate care under a for profit system, because greed always sucks the life out of any for profit system. Health care should not be a business. We need to chuck the entire system, make docs etc cut the apron strings with big business pharma and go back to the days of small, non-profit med groups. Like every other BIG thing in this country, health care is way, way out of hand and there is no other way to fix it.
Don't worry. The top 2% will create more jobs. In China.
They take $10,000 out of the country for every $1 they put back into it.
Wait all you Obama dweebs thought the government was going to take care of you for the rest of your lives, soooorrrryy you can never trust government.
Nobody ever thought that. It is just a handy talking point created by Fox. Get the insurance companies out of the middle of the mess and there wouldn't be any problem. Single Payer for All!
Why support more foreign workers then?
T. Willard Fair, president of the Urban League of Greater Miami, Fla.
"Amnesty for illegal workers is not just a slap in the face to black Americans. It's an economic disaster,... I see illegal immigration and the adverse impact that it has on the political empowerment of African Americans, and the impact it has on the job market." – to the Miami Herald 4/26/07
"Think about it this way: If there's a young black man in Liberty City, where I live, who's good with his hands and wants to become a carpenter, which is more likely to help him achieve that goal - amnesty and more immigration, or enforcement and less immigration?
"Which is more likely to help an ex-convict or recovering addict get hired at an entry-level job and start the climb back to a decent life - amnesty and more immigration, or enforcement and less immigration?
"Which is more likely to persuade a teenager in the inner city to reject the lure of gang life and instead stick with honest employment - amnesty and more immigration, or enforcement and less immigration?....
"....The interests of black Americans are clear: No amnesty, no guestworkers, enforce the immigration law." – from testimony before the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law Committee on the Judiciary – US House of Representatives
. I am a minimalist at heart I suppose. The big home, big salary, the big ego I just dont understand greed and selfishness. What is happening in medicine will force the private home grown practices out of buisness. The socialization of the health care system is inevitable. Economies of scale and costs will force us to have to sacrifice the level of care in order to provide medical care for everyone. The right to basic food stuffs, basic medical care regardless of what your pay is inevitable for a emotionally maturing society. The sooner we accept this the better. If profits are your primary interest then design and build cars or sell real estate, etc. We used to be a more caring society and the me generation will have to change or fail. I am a conservative, moderate and still advocate for real change to basic fundamental rights Health Care, Food, Shelter. We need to stop beating up on each other and accept that real change will take all of us participating. Off the sopa box, sorry.
Thank you, I couldn't agree more.
One of the things that people fail to realize over and over again as they go on and on about higher taxes is.... if you are already paying for it now – either because your employer is or you are going out-of-pocket – then while it is true your taxes will go up to pay for socialized medicine you won't have to pay for it elsewhere (logically your salary will go up – so you can pay the increased medical-tax or the out-of-pocket expense will end). You aren't actually paying more in the "big picture" in fact with government review many of the tricks insurance companies and big pharma pull will become illegal and many of the frivolous uses/testing will end (hopefully).
If you want to cut spending that doesn't benefit the average tax payer then a nice cut in military expenditures and subsidies to other countries would be a great way to start. I get so tired to the running commentary on Fox that despite paying taxes to our government we aren't actually entitled to receive any goods or services in return, ridiculous! I also tire of the "Loud Christians Conservatives" opposing social services for the poor, or calling them unkind names… it is as if they don't understand the very religion they follow.
O.K. doctors quit taking Medicare if you wish. However you should not be allowed to put your patients in hospital that recieve any public funds. BTW all of your federal loans are due in thirty days.
Obviously an Obama Kool aide drinker who just "assumes" all doctors have loans and such, believe it or not, a lot of doctors finishe medical school w/o taking massive or any loans out. You remind me of an idiot by the name of Mao....
hospitals can not refuse people by law... even those without insurance... period. There re 600 hospitals closing because of Obamacare requirements and cuts in medicare.
with feds take over of loans, can not target groups.
Doctors can just quit practice. Between the medicare cuts and the fines for IDC errors, I know 2 doctors in town that quit practice.
Not to mention lots of R&D and Pharma companies are willing to pay M.D's big money to work with them. They value M.D's more that PH.D's. So any doctor leaving the practice is still very capable of making a lot of money. it is "us" who suffers.
Oh, BTW, A lot of countries have Doctors listed as an in demand profession and offer visas to them. So a doc can practice in Canada, the UK etc. Again, we lose.
I know Several! doctors that have decided to quit their practice, or stop accepting mm, or have just sold the entire medical group "as mine did". One of the doctors in my family got fed up with it earlier and closed his practice (in his 40's). Obamacare is going to be a ride you will only enjoy if you are on the bottom of the income scale. This country is steadfast pulling everyone and everything down to the lowest common denominator, all in the name of "fairness".
I am getting fed up with people blaming their office closings on Obamacare. I urge everyone to read the Affordable Care Act section by section so that you are fully informed on exactly how it impacts providers, insurance companies, and patients. If your office is closing, how in the world could Obamacare be the reason? Your practice is operating at a lost because of Obamacare? Really? Again, this is the accountability problem that exist in healthcare. Everyone needs to be accountable for the role they play in how well or bad their practice has done. How many Docs go to business school to learn many important details of running a business such a medical practice? So, you just make a few phone calls, get a practice up and running and run it on a fly (many of you do this), you loose money, right? Not to mention the contracts with insurance companies, medicare, and medicaid.
Tee, since you claim to have actually read the entire Affordable Care Act, I encourage you to immediately contact U.S. Congreewoman Nancy Pelosi as I believe she still is unable to make a similar claim.
I have not claimed to have read the entire Act, I have however, taken the initiative to began to read each section, which is posted online for all to see in a very organized fashion electronically.My point is to read and learn about the actual bill before making claims that are not accurate. Everyone is complaining about Obamacare and it is obvious that nearly everyone is misinformed based on the information available through credible resources.
yea, but did he read all the bills it references? And then the real test.. how about reading all the new regulations being written? about 100 pages per 1 page of bill is the forcast.
I asked to see the definition of how the exchanges will be run so I could program for them. The government (state and local) do not have the definition written as yet. and it has to be up next year. Yea, right!!!
i have not only read it, I programmed all the garbage for an insurance company... 10 of us for 13 months. total costs so far is 1 billion to implent the obamacare changes...
do you even know what IDC are? put the wrong one out of 12,000 and you get fined.
I have to get a blood test done every 4 weeks. The doc office get $3.47 (medicare part b). and they want to CUT this? How do you think that pays for there expenses?
I would like to interject a new term into this thread that I haven't heard used in a long time when dealing with public welfare, personal responsibility. I hear victim used a lot, I just have too much pride in this nation I guess to believe we are all simply, "victims." If I take a job and spend every penny I earn on cool stuff that has little or no value and then lose my job, I don't think of myself as a victim so much as unwise. My choices probably shouldn't cost everyone else money. I often find myself confused with this "victim" mentality. I realize it is rude to point out that another person is making stupid choices. But I consider it pretty rude for a person who makes those choices to insist that I continue to pay for them and then insists that it wasn't their fault, they were in fact victimized. Most of these situations remind me of an adage I have heard since childhood. "Failing to plan, is actually planning to fail." I am disturbed at the level of pride taken by "victims" in this great society we are supposed to live in. During problems I have had in my life personally, I usually find I can pinpoint if someone else is to blame for a given issue and work through those. The rest of them have all seemed to me to stem from choices I have made, oddly, victim has never come into the picture.
I don't like to bring up problems that I see without offering a solution so here is a solution I would propose, those of us who have a job, save enough to provide for ourselves in the event that something we didn't anticipate happens and we need those resources. If you are still young, look around you and ask yourself if you want more than you have, start working towards it. Opportunities in life are like turn offs on a road, the further you go down the road, the fewer there are left ahead of you. If you are in school and doing poorly, it may not be all your fault, but you will be living with the after math, not your teachers and not your friends, find a way to fix it. If you are older and don't like where you are in life, look around and find a way to fix it, even if it isn't ideal for awhile. That solution has worked for me so far, even when I was out of work and had to live on my own savings. Let's leave "victim" where it belongs and stop diminishing its meaning.
great.... personal responsiblity, delayed gratification....
I find most of those "victums" of default mortgages, kept refiancing and taking the equity and buy toys or vactions... and now cry because of those decisions...
my mom, a great lady taught me, only borrow money to buy your first house and if if you are bleeding to death you can borrow to pay to patch your self and stay alive. Otherwise go earn the money, save it and then pay for it....
this included college, amazing how much effort one makes to graduate in 4 years when you have to pay for it.
Before you break your arm patting yourself on the back....did my mom and grandma deserve to get Alzheimers? Did my dad deserve to get 30 brain tumors? Be careful about blaming the "victim" You may find yourself in a hospital bed one day.
Cuts should becoming from reduced salaries and benefits given to congress. These folks are overpaid, overcompensated, and have done little to deserve a dime.
Why is it that no one is bringing this up?
The same reason term limits are not being discussed,everyone thinks the problem is someone elses representative,not theirs. Political office was intended to be a position of service to your country, not a lifelong career choice. Sadly we get just what we deserve with the ignorant voters we have. Do you remember how so many women stated at exit polls that they voted for Bill Clinton because "he had the best butt". That kind of ignorance will continue our decline.
I'd like to see how much of the doctor's intake per patient is sent towards malpractice insurance to protect the doctor from lawsuits.
If perchance we could reduce the number and amount of malpractice lawsuits (which most of the lawsuits only seem to benefit the lawyers), the costs of running a doctor's office would drop. Would that drop be enough to help keep doctors in business? For that matter, making the losing side pay ALL court costs, would surely reduce the number of frivolous lawsuits in the country.
When I previously worked in Health Insurance, I often saw that doctors would sign up to be a company's personal doctor. The company would pay the rent, utilities, and staffing costs as well as pay a salary for the doctor to see the company employees and families for free. This situation helped reduce the company's health insurance costs, while allowed the doctor to make a good salary without worrying about malpractice lawsuits, rent, staffing payroll, etc. How many doctors are considering becoming an employee of major corporations in order to keep practicing medicine, but to a select group of people.
JM you have the right idea here, but a little bit off.... let me explain.
Malpractice doesn't necessarily drive up the cost of running a practice. It does diminish a physician's take home salary; however, it is typically not a limiting factor keeping practices afloat, aside from extremely high risk fields, such as OB/Gyn, Neurosurgery, etc.
Where malpractice does affect the health industry is in the number of tests we order. I order tests all the time because there might be .01% chance that there is something wrong. If I don't get that CT, and somehow it is that .01% chance that came to be, you will sue me (plain and simple). Is your claim necessarily wrong? NO, since it has become the STANDARD of CARE. All doctors here do it. That's why it is ok for me to do it. Thats why insurance pays for it. That's why healthcare in this country costs so much. You will get a $10,000 work up b/c if I don't, I can be sued. Is it medically indicated (not in my opinion), but IT IS the STANDARD of CARE, because in this country, you are not allowed to miss that 0.01% chance.
Ultimately, this is the reason why we as a country must pay so much for healthcare.
BTW, I make no money on ordering these tests. I do not own the MRI, CT, pathology lab, blood lab, etc.
I own none of these. I make no money from ordering these tests. In fact, it costs me money.....essentially time I must spend going over these results of these tests when the chances of them being abnormal (pathologic) are immensely small.
Do you know how many "no concern for pathologic process" (laymen's = "negative") CT's, Xrays, MRI's I read every day?!
How many normal bloodworks I get back (that I clinically knew was going to be negative)?
Hundreds!....and I get no reimbursement for ordering these tests, or reading their results.
For those who are bad talking Obamacare, please research the facts of the healthcare bill before you speak on it. Many Physicians complain about how much the are loosing accepting Medicare or Medicaid, yet they do not speak to the role they play in loosing revenue. They hire sub standard staff who lacks proficiency in billing and coding. This is the biggest problem. You hire a Medical Assistant to run the office, do billing, and clinical work, and wonder why you are not making money. Many of Doctor's business practices are inefficient and for that reason, much money is lost. So, Physicians, you must take some responsibility in the fact that you lack adequate business accumen and I do not think that it is fair to blame the government for this. It is your responsibility to set up a practice and maximize your own revenue whether you accept Medicare or not. I do agree on the other points made by physicians, but I work in the insurance industry as a consultant and I see alot of waste and poor business practices that explain why many practices are not doing well.
You Doctors need to be more innovative in how you deliver care to members rather than relying strictly on reimbursements. Many Doctors are doing so and are doing very well. Many Doctors need to leave their egos behind and listen to other health care professionals when they have ways of improving how you do things. So, many of you are suffering unneccessarily for that reason: your EGOs and lack of ability to keep up with latest technology and innovations and thinking out of the box to make more money. I have actually some ideas, but I am just a Registered Nurse with a MBA, what do I know.
Hi Tee Yung, you are absolutely right in what you say. Doctor's offices need to be efficient and well run, no doubt. You are an MBA, and clearly have business training. And yes, medicare billing, and even private insurance billing is a very complicated system that requires special training etc.
But let me ask you one thing. When a person goes to their Doctor, would they want them (with what limited free time they have) to become better physicians (ie. read on medical journals, attend continuing education seminars, respond to their patient's concerns in off hours, etc.), or become better businessmen? And remember, I ask you this as a patient. I'm not a businessman. I don't endeavor to make money only and maximize profits, that is not my goal in life. I know what little I know to get by. If you ask the majority of physicians and surgeons, they did not go to medical school to be businessmen. I want to be YOUR Doctor, concerned about your health and your well being.
Instead, I would offer that rather than making it more costly for us to deal with medicare billing from a training stand point (ie. hiring more specialists, businessmen, office managers etc.), that the government make billing more uniform and streamline, so that someone like myself can do it without hiring unneeded personal. This is something that doctors have been requesting for a long time. Billing reform is sorely needed so we STOP spending unneeded money on gratuitous business and coding training.
I get that response a lot from Doctors. The only thing that I will say to you is that once you start a business, whether you are trained or not to run one, it still is a business. And there is nothing wrong with boosting your bottom line. Why do health care professionals feel guilty about financial rewards? if you maximize your revenues, increase your profits, that is a sign of a healthy business. The patients benefit greatly. You will be able to pay yourself the salary you deserve instead of some sub par salary. You really cheat yourselves and your patient by not at least trying to learn what you can about business.
Good! Let unemployment run out!! Time to put on your big boy pants and get a job and stop sucking this country dry!!
What's sucking this country dry, is the CEO's taking all the money. Corporate profits are at an all time high, while wages are at an all time low. These jobs you want people to "put their big boy pants on" and go get, don't pay near enough for a person to have a decent life. As a matter of fact, if you have a couple of kids, they don't even pay enough to afford daycare.
You do realize that businesses pay unemployment, not the government right?
Let's just hope you don't lose your job one day BOB
It's all going to hit the fan soon, any way in this country. Bring it on ! Greedy corporations and mid-sized business have never been awash in more money,.
Just curious, what do you do for work?
Greedy corporations that hire all of those workers. Shame on them for making money. For shame, for shame, for shame!!!
We can anyways find Extreme Examples to support our Positions. The Examples you site are examples that are on one end of the Unemployment Benefits situation.
But, 2 years of Unemployment is not Factual.
26 Weeks of Regular Unemployment
14 Weeks of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Tier 1
54% of the Regular Claims Maximum Benefit
14 Weeks of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Tier 2
54% of the Regular Claims Maximum Benefit
9 weeks of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Tier 3
35% of the Regular Claims Maximum Benefit
63 Weeks is the Maximum! Not Two Years…………………….
All Emergency Unemployment Compensation Ends December 29, 2012
99 weeks, not quite 2 years
A Dr. should loose his licence if he/she refuses to accept paymnet frome medicare.
The reality is this. There is a fixed cost associated with seeing any patient. If this is a simple Doctor's clinic for example, we have to pay for the rent, the nursing staff, utilities, and all the other billing issues that come with medicare. Ultimately, this might cost say $100.00 / patient (made up number, doesn't matter).
When we see Medicare patients, they CURRENTLY reimburse maybe $70.00 / patient while private insurance from other patients make up the difference. Essentially, ever Doctor you ever go to with Medicare is seeing you essentially at a loss. We're barely making payroll as it is, not to mention all the other expenses. If Medicare were to drop another 30% in reimbursement, this would be devastating to the operation of a clinic.
Can I tell the nurses here that they lose 30% of their salary overnight? What about the secretaries? What about the cleaning crew? Utilities don't go down in price. Rent never goes down. What about the staff's health care premiums. Do I tell them to go shop for health insurance now?
Ultimately, the 30% drop is impossible to sustain. We could not run the clinic. It would close. Believe me, I understand the frustration. I am frustrated as well. I don't want our patients in clinic to be on their own. I believe in helping all my patients, including Medicare. But one thing I am not is a magician. I can't make the numbers work. Our colleagues out there dropping Medicare patients are doing so because the threat of these reductions constantly make it impossible to plan ahead for expenses.
This is what I was trying to get at some in the story. But I think there is so much more to be done on this topic, as you said Doctor.
Thank You Lisa for doing a story on this topic. It is certainly a forgotten portion of the fiscal cliff.
One of the biggest travesties of "Obamacare" is that we're so focused on bringing health insurance to millions of people but have forgotten completely about getting ACCESS for these millions as well. The situation highlighted here continues to show the importance of ACCESS. Even with Medicare paid for, these seniors and millions others may not get their care simply because no one nearby takes medicare.
Thank you for the kind words, Doctor. You should send me a tweet if you are on Twitter I'm @LisaDCNN. I'll folo you and then DM you my e-mail address so we can be in touch. These are all topics I want to tackle more.
This is a free country, and doctors have the right, as private practitioners – in their own business – to decide whether to accept Medicare patients or not, or even whether to participate in any health plans.
A doctors office is no different than any other business. They have to be able to cover their expenses. If not they will be out of business.
Some accuse me of attacking a false conspiracy, of having a "conspiracy theory" mentality. Is there a real "conspiracy"? Well lets consider if there is any merit in thinking there is one, as being supported by the facts, not convoluted by ambiguous numbers. We know that the country's wealth is becoming increasingly held, more and more, by the few. We know the likes of Grover Norquist exists for the sole purpose of intimidating and coercing Republicans to squelch their individual consciences and to force their firm support for the Party's positions. We have seen Cheney, Rove, the Koch brothers and several others join in this pressuring of their own to assure unified support for their positions, even to forcing moderates, like Stowe and Lugar, out. We understand that these people and many more like Adelson provide an abundance of mega-millions for the purpose of supporting the candidates they can control and opposing those they can't (they have even said that they can "make or break' anyone), as well as for developing and promoting the extensive propaganda used to con the people and manipulate public opinion. We have seen they go to great lengths to provide "puppet" candidates who are committed to "doing as their strings are pulled"; with Norquist even stating that "the next Republican president would only have to be qualified to sign the bills they send him".
We hear them spout their scripted propaganda with it being repeated – word for word – by all of their people. We see how they arrogantly fault and stubbornly block all efforts, belligerently withholding bipartisan cooperation, no matter what the cost to the people; even to exaggerating attacks for questionable purpose, like seen with McCain and Graham in their over zealous criticism of S. Rice. We know all of their positions always have real benefit for "the money" who strongly support them. We have seen were people like the Koch brothers initiated, encouraged and funded the Tea Party Movement, the Swift-boat propaganda and the manipulation of the "conservative" Christian, all aimed to sway people in the same single direction. We see the stubbornness and arrogance of the likes of John Boehner, Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan, Eric Cantor, Michelle Backmann and others as they protect the interests of "the money" and ignore their responsibility to the majority. We saw the concentration by Bush-Cheney on serving only "the money" and experienced the costs of that.
We can recognize the consistency in all of this and can really feel the organization behind it. We even see the cooperative support from the likes of Limbaugh, Palin, Beck, Hannity, FOXNews and others and wonder how they are compensated. We hear their constant faulting of "liberalness", blaming government spending, "big government" and the deficit as the only evil but never hear any recognition that our problems are really the direct result of exploitation by the few, that resulted from permissive policies labeled as "conservative", that encouraged and allowed run-away greed, gross dishonesty and self-indulgence, with the few always walking away with substantial gains and leaving the losses/costs to the majority. Is all of this evidence of a "conspiracy" – everyone will have to decide that for themselves, recognizing that there really is ample justification to consider it. For myself, I'm not against "conservative" policies, I am against having a subservient government catering only to the interests of the few, with "puppet" politicians serving "the money", their masters, and neglecting their responsibilities to the people.
So, What's your Point?
So I take it you really believe the Obama administration stands against these things?
Fascism is the ultimate tool of the ultra elite, as are you.
Nice post REG, very few see the truth, while most are victims of populist talking points that strike an emotional chord of the listener. But the results are indisputable,wealth amd political power is becoming concentrated in this country with terrible consequences, i.e. the financial crisis. The truly sad thing is that the people don't understand it or don't want to believe it as it goes against long cherished economic, social, and political beliefs. People will not change their thinking until the situation turns grave for the nation. I hope we change before we lose our global economic and political status.
I do believe that Short Term Unemployment is a good thing. I was on Unemployment for 6 months before I found a job. I do not feel sorry for people that are on unemployment for a year or 2 at a time. I took a job in AFGHANISTAN so I could get off of it and make a decent wage. What people have to understand is sometimes you have to move to get a job nowadays. I moved to CA from NC to get a decent stateside job here in the USA. So no sympathy from me.
I however do feel bad for doctors who are having to take less and less money to continue seeing Medicare patients. That just isn't right at all
Really interesting post there Josh.
You know firsthand, but I'm not clear – do you think there should be no unemployment insurance? Or do you think it should only last a shorter time than it does now? If so, how long?
Lisa, I think there should be short term unemployment and maybe even a supplemental unemployment program that kicks in afterwards. I know some people who made a certain amount and then it's difficult to find a similar paying job. After the initial unemployment runs out, the person can at least take a lower paying job and get supplemental unemployment for a longer period to help offset the difference. I'm not sure if that exists or not, it's just a thought I had.
I've been fortunate to not have to file for unemployment but then again I have worked 2 or more jobs at a time to make ends meet during rough times.
Good response. Thanks for that.
I agree with Josh on a step program. The unemployed should be able to take a PT job and get help making up the difference and also be able to take a FT lower paying job and get a little help making up the difference. Right now (in NY) if you work 3 days your unemployment check goes almost to nothing making it an incentive not take that PT job. Also if there is a wage differential then it would only make sense to have someone working getting a supplemental UEI check to make up a wage difference rather than to have someone capable of working but staying on full UEI for the full term because their high paying job got shipped overseas. I have $8.50 PT hotel jobs open but I cannot get people on UEI to fill them because it would be so much less than what they are collecting. I don't blame them financially.
Of course the 98% want the 2% to pay for it, especially the entitlement crowd. More benefits, but let someone else pay for it. The problem is that it just reinforces generational irresponsibility and dependence on Uncle Sam. No lasting solutions.
Not commenting on the pros or cons but you are right that some (President, Democrats) want to raise taxes on the wealthy in order to prevent cuts in programs for others.
However, that doesn't apply to unemployment directly. Employers across-the-board are taxed to pay for unemployment benefits.
One side says take benefits I'm not using away from other people. The other side says take money I don't have from other people.
Have you paid into Social Security? Are you looking for some kind of re-numeration from Social Security when you Retire? Then you are part of the Entitlement Crowd that you speak of. So you are reinforcing Generational Irresponsibility by your own statements.
People that pay into Social Security do not consider Social Security an Entitlement!
Do you have elderly parents that are being turned away by their Doctors because the Doctors can no longer Break Even on the Medicare Payments from the Government?
This is NOT Generational Irresponsibility; it is your Limited Position of Knowledge!
Social Security Income would not be an entitlement, ONLY if we simply got back what we paid in. However, the average beneficiary today collects back all contributions plus interest in 6-8 years. Taking more out than we put in, makes it an entitlement, in my view.
But it isn't just the two percent who pay for it as out tax system is progressive. Are you to suggest that we have five percent of our population having no want unmet while poor, elderly, and disabled starve? No man lives on an island. You are truly a discompassionate conservative.
BS they are leaving because they are greedy
Jack Alex,
Can you explain more what you mean by 'greedy'? The doctor in the story insists her practice was not going to survive on current Medicare reimbursement rates and threats of cuts. But sounds like you don't buy it?
I wonder what kind of salary she gives herself? Could cut back there.
It's a fair point, but I think she is unlikely to be able to cut back her salary enough to pay for raises for the rest of her staff as well as increased inflationary costs (office rent, equipment, medical tools).
Most internists do not make that much money. Doctors are seeing more and more patients, the paperwork is onerous. The government is too involved in health care. Obamacare is a monster that everyone will come to find out soon.
IIf it was greed they would be getting all the patients they could. The only entity that runs regardless of profit or loss is Government. In order to push this crap legislation on the people was to make it look like a savings by forcing doctors to take less money for their work.
If you have a job I hope you are next on the list to have your wages dictated to you.
Agree. Lets tell the congressman that we are cutting their pay by 25%. and all their lawyer, banker and corporate friends. also they should also do the "P4P" (pay for performance) that many insurance companies are pushing on doctors. I guess they'd go home empty handed then.
That's exactly what the doctor in the piece wished – that Congress' pay would be on the line to the exact degree that hers was and that the decisions would be linked.
I don't know about you but i don't set set my own wage, it is dictated to me by my employer.
Employeers do not set the wage. Competition dose. Most people will try to get the most for their labor.
The only "crap" is a for profit health care system that exhibits oligopolistic pricing power. Government needs to get involved with HC consuming 18 percent of GDP. It is a drain on the countrys resources and finances and leaves our people, businesses, and nation at a disadvantage when other industrialized nations health care costs are half our and the heatlh care needs of their entire population are met. But the uninformed continue to see it as an idological argument because it again, goes against their almost fanatical obsession with free market capitalism.
Thanks for the comment Joseph. What do you think of the Medicare doctors' situation?
These are all forms of welfare... while its cool to take care of the disabled, the injured, the sick – its a national travesty to give an able bodied person the ability to lounge around when others are working hard and contributing to society.
Unemployment insurance has become a bridge for the lazy to back to school, take a vacation – a sabatical. All of us do not have those privileges so its is unfair to give a year or 2 of unemployment. there is ALWAYS something people can do to earn money. It may not be the work they want – or the work they feel best "fits" them – but when you have to pay rent and put food on the table foolish pride is not worth running up our national debt.
I paid in to Social Security 45 years and do not consider it an entitlement. As for unemployment, the tiny bit someone gets compared to past wages is almost nothing. More housing is heading to foreclosure. I didn't think I would ever be laid off. You apparently think the same. What a surprise you might be in for! As for two years, it is long but the economy basically sucks and will probably get worse. Probably why the biggest job gains are in the service (min wage) industry.
What do you mean you paid in to Social Security 45 years and do not consider it an entitlement. You're kidding right? I paid into it for 40 years, supported retirees for 40 years, and better damn well get some when I retire!!! I will let the next generation shoulder that burdeon!!
You and your entire generation spent everything you paid in, plus $16 trillion. Explain why some kid just coming into the workforce should pay half of your SS (that's the ratio, one retiree for every worker) while trying to pay down the mountain of debt you created. I'd cut SS off cold and send you all back to work for the rest of your lives, just to give you a taste of what's in store for your grandchildren. How about you get off that high horse and die in the shame you deserve.
We didn't spend it. Congress keeps taking $$ from the Social Security fund to fund all their stupid spending. It should not have been touched, but invested. I paid into it for 47 years and I damn well better get mine.
Basically, sir, you are talking out of your hat and this is not even a decent conversation. To say such horrible things is beyond the pale. The $16 trillion is from Bush and Obama...not from seniors. We've been working out butts off all of our lives.
Joseph Brunner,
Your comments are Harsh. This country is experiencing the Worst Unemployment since the Depression. Some will Argue that the Unemployment Situation is much worse than reported. What happens to those people that are no longer on Unemployment Benefits but are not being counted towards the Unemployment Numbers? They get put in the Not Looking for Work Category. Does that mean They No Longer have to Eat as Well?
Unemployment Benefits are helping those that have become Victims of this Economic Downturn. It's not a free ride, as you have to Report your Work Searches each Week, and get Audited as well. Vacations and Sabbatical's is Not the Norm.
Life is not fully appreciated until it is Lived, or Paid For.
Brad his comments may be harsh but are reality! 2 years is too long for these people to be on unemployment and as far as reporting job searches do you know what that entails? wallk up to a place of business and ask them if they are hiring and if they say no then ask them to please sign this form saying I asked you! I have people come to me all the time with this. I have even had these free loaders walk away saying no thanks when I told them that we were hiring.
True to a point there are some freeloaders as you call them, but there are many who are just stuck. When someone looses a job that is paying 17. an hour, the unemployment benifits out weigh the 7.45 an hour job, they just can not afford to take a minimum wage job, and those are the so called jobs being created in this country because of the greedy corporate culture. Lay ebveryone off and rehire lower paying people so we can give our execs more money, 6 figures is just not enough for them.
We can anyways find Extreme Examples to support our Positions. The Examples you site are examples that are on one end of the Unemployment Benefits situation.
But, 2 years of Unemployment is not Factual.
26 Weeks of Regular Unemployment
14 Weeks of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Tier 1
54% of the Regular Claims Maximum Benefit
14 Weeks of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Tier 2
54% of the Regular Claims Maximum Benefit
9 weeks of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Tier 3
35% of the Regular Claims Maximum Benefit
63 Weeks is the Maximum! Not Two Years…………………….
All Emergency Unemployment Compensation Ends December 29, 2012
"True to a point there are some freeloaders as you call them, but there are many who are just stuck. When someone looses a job that is paying 17. an hour, the unemployment benifits out weigh the 7.45 an hour job, they just can not afford to take a minimum wage job, and those are the so called jobs being created in this country because of the greedy corporate culture. Lay ebveryone off and rehire lower paying people so we can give our execs more money, 6 figures is just not enough for them."
As someone pointed out earlier in this thread correctly, companies are paying that unemployment benefit that is better than you working for minimum wage. So if they are paying for so many to do nothing because it is better than working for less, how exactly are they going to hire more people to...work?
No. They do not have to eat. Maybe if they don't they'll find or create a job.
I ride the train to work every day with a woman who is in a wheelchair. She is there every day going to work too.
Typical conservative nonsense. They take a poor unmployed blue collar worker to task for getting measly unemployment insurance, but they say nothing of the Wall Street types who cheated their way to riches in the housing boom AND got a public bailout.


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The cool part about this is that it uses the Leap Motion to detect your hands and can therefore use the gesture to open the menu (two finger down swipe), just like in the anime.
For the moment it is a neat way of using a menu, although not the most efficient if you are in a hurry.
This type of GUI would be best in an RPG where you have all the time you need to go through your inventory to check your items.
Still, it did make me squeal for joy. Having a menu you can navigate with your REAL hands is freaking cool!
I can only imagine the amount of coding that must have gone into this.


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|Problems? Is your data what you think it is?
Re: Mock Objectsby mstone (Deacon)
|on Apr 11, 2002 at 21:40 UTC ( #158431=note: print w/replies, xml )
|Need Help??
What if we were to create metadata to configure how the different methods in our objects are supposed to work?
You've just cracked the thought barrier that leads to formal methods. For each chunk of code, you create a list of assertions that impose constraints on what the code should do. Then you go through and make sure your code actually obeys those assertions. Formal methods take the idea a step farther by writing the assertions in mechanically-readable form, then running them through a postulate-matching engine to do the gruntwork of making sure everything checks.
As a trivial example, let's use a mock-language that uses types to impose assertions, and nail down a common blunder in C programming:
which makes the error in the following code stanza:
stand out like a sore thumb. strcmp() demands non-null pointers, but the code above is only giving it regular pointers. The code above meets some, but not all, of strcmp's required assertions, and a formal type engine would point out the error.
Strongly-typed languages build an assertion-tester into the compiler so programmers can build and verify code in the same way. The hints about memory allocation are useful, too. But that's not the only way to handle assertions.
Even though Perl doesn't use strong typing, we can build our own testable assertions about what the program should be doing, and weave that right into our error-handling code. So while I think your use of the test module is cool, I'd challenge you to crank the quality up one more notch, and make your test code part of the program itself.
When you code to the assertions, you find yourself structuring programs so that no given operation can possibly fail. Ususally, you end up with a framework like so:
and if you make "this structure will be consumable by any client" one of your assertions, you don't have to branch your code to handle error conditions. Simple example:
The assertions guarantee that the main code always works, even if the inputs are bad. The structure of the default values makes both kinds of failure visible, without having to obscure the main-line code behind a bunch of tests and conditional branching.. and multiple failures like the ones in this example are a bitch to handle with binary if-else branching.
Guaranteed success: Try it -- it's addicitive. ;-)
In Section Meditations


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Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was long called a treatment in search of diseases. But in recent years, laboratory and clinical studies have found more than a dozen serious diseases for which it is considered a valuable and sometimes life-saving treatment.
Although the administration of pure oxygen in a high-pressure chamber has been around as a therapy for more than 300 years, it is only now beginning to reach its potential, according to a report in the November issue of the journal Emergency Medicine.
At the same time, hyperbaric oxygen therapy has joined the ranks of unproven remedies for many conditions, especially incurable ones like cerebral palsy and autism. The use of the therapy in these situations often borders on quackery that exploits desperate patients and parents. One family I know spent $40,000 in a futile attempt to reverse their child's cerebral palsy; another spent more than that and even bought a home hyperbaric unit to treat their child's autism.
The Credibility Factor
The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, the professional organization in this field, recognizes 13 conditions for which it is legitimate to place patients in high-pressure chambers that force pure oxygen into their blood and tissues. Eleven of those conditions have been approved by Medicare for reimbursement, indicating that solid evidence supports these uses of hyperbaric oxygen.
The list includes decompression sickness ("the bends"), necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease), carbon monoxide poisoning, gas gangrene, the bone infection osteomyelitis, nonhealing wounds and delayed radiation injury to bone and soft tissue.
But nowhere in the list are cerebral palsy, autism, multiple sclerosis, stroke, macular degeneration, spinal cord injury, sports injuries, heart attack, postpolio syndrome, Lyme disease, migraine, cirrhosis, myasthenia gravis, fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome among the dozens of conditions that independent clinics claim to treat with hyperbaric oxygen. Not to mention the claims of celebrities like Michael Jackson, who used it in the hope that it will keep him alive to 150, and Keanu Reeves, who used it for insomnia.
"Credibility is a huge problem," said Richard E. Clarke, director of the Baromedical Research Foundation, which sponsors scientifically sound research. "We are all tarred by the same brush."
"Although hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been suggested as beneficial in several other conditions, unfortunately, clinically valid evidence is virtually nonexistent," he said. "This is relatively expensive and time-consuming therapy, and it makes sense to ask whether it is cost-effective and whether the benefits are long-lasting."
Even for conditions approved by Medicare, supporting evidence is often contradictory. "A persistent criticism of hyperbaric medicine regards the lack of large-scale, multicenter, randomized studies for several of the primary indications," noted Dr. Chris Maples and Dr. Moss Mendelson of Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, in the Emergency Medicine report. "Data are conflicting, particularly on carbon monoxide poisoning, crush injuries and some soft tissue infections. Some trials demonstrate benefit while others show no difference."
Problems and Risks
One problem in conducting good studies is the difficulty of randomly assigning patients into treatment and control groups in a way that "blinds" them to the group they are in, Dr. Charles S. Graffeo, a specialist in hyperbaric medicine at the Eastern Virginia Medical School, said in an interview. Another problem is finding enough patients with the same condition, which is crucial in gathering statistically significant data.
Dr. Graffeo said there was "a good theoretical basis and some promising evidence that hyperbaric oxygen therapy could help treat clots on the retina, acute frostbite, recluse spider bites and thermal burns."
"But there are just not enough scientific studies," he said. "Conducting controlled clinical trials of hyperbaric oxygen is a bit more challenging than testing drugs."
He cautioned patients to steer clear of independent hyperbaric centers owned by a single doctor or small medical group that is not affiliated with a major hospital or medical school. Commenting on claims commonly made by such clinics, he said: "No legitimate organization would condone treating cerebral palsy with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. I haven't seen anything that is even potentially promising to support such a use. If I had a C.P. child, I wouldn't even consider it."
Furthermore, the therapy is not without risks, though most are mild and usually short-lived and there has been no documented fatality in more than 75 years of use in North America. The risks include ear and sinus pain, low blood sugar, nearsightedness that can last for weeks, and anxiety attacks resulting from confinement in the chamber. Also, the therapy is clearly dangerous for some patients, including those with a collapsed lung and those receiving chemotherapy with cisplatinum or adriamycin. The therapy may also be hazardous for pregnant women and people with poorly controlled asthma or active cancer, among others.
Established Benefits
Hyperbaric oxygen can be life-saving for patients with the bends, like divers who have surfaced too quickly. For those suffering from severe carbon monoxide poisoning, the most rigorous study so far found that three hyperbaric treatments decreased cognitive damage later. Traumas like crush injuries and thermal burns that deprive tissues of adequate oxygen also benefit from high-oxygen therapy, as do life-threatening infections called necrotizing fasciitis, if the condition is treated in its early stages, the experts in Virginia reported. The therapy may also be useful for sepsis, a potentially life-threatening bacterial infection in the blood and tissues.
Dr. Graffeo said the therapy was useful in treating diabetic foot ulcers and bone infections. It is beneficial for patients whose tissues were damaged by radiation therapy cancer patients, for example, who can develop oxygen-deficient wounds that do not heal well. Hyperbaric oxygen promotes the release of growth hormone and helps to form blood vessels in irradiated tissue, he said.
A study published last September in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics found hyperbaric oxygen helpful for patients with radiation proctitis, which can cause bleeding, rectal ulcers and loss of bowel control. Though the costly treatment can involve as many as 40 two-hour sessions, "the net effect is reversal of the problem in the majority of patients, which in the end is cost-saving and greatly improves quality of life," said Mr. Clarke, whose foundation sponsored the study.
Oxygen therapy is being tested in patients with new diagnoses of head or neck cancer to increase the tumor's sensitivity to radiation treatments, Mr. Clarke said. Future studies will test benefits to patients with cancers of the larynx, skin and gynecological organs.
"The most important question to answer, in addition to cost-effectiveness," he said, "is whether the therapeutic benefit lasts and clearly improves patients' quality of life."


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The Sun's food and science reporter Randy Shore takes a look at the benefits of using a registered massage therapist. Massage therapy can be used to treat sports injuries, discomfort due to pregnancy, serious illnesses and more.
Each week's Empowered Health episode will be accompanied by a page in The Sun full of stories and tips designed to put you in control of your health.


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last-a no-mess way to add glitter accents! This paper is embedded with
small pieces of glitter. Glitter won't brush off or flake off so there's
no clean up. * 24 glittered sheets: 8 each of 3 colors (Iridescent, light green, turquoise) * 6" x 6" (15.2 x 15.2 cm) * Acid free * Lignin free


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Part Number: 13231
eFireplaceStore Item Number: CPF-13231
* Please Note: GSC Lids are embossed if the width is 14� or greater but lids that are 13� and less width�have no embossing.
The Gelco 17 in. x 29 in. Base Stainless Steel Multi-Flue Chimney Protector Cap with Swingtabs and 12 in. Screen Height does just what it's name suggests: It protects your chimney. And it's backed by Gelco's great, no-nonsense lifetime warranty. You'll love these great features and benefits. The Chimney Protector's impressive features are what make it one of the most popular chimney caps in the industry.
Please Note: The Chimney Protector comes unassembled (knock-down). It comes with masonry anchors for mounting.
SwingTab Reversible Mounting Strips. The unique design of the SwingTab allows you to simply swing the mounting strips in or out as needed for the best fit.
No tools, no bolts, no awkward panels to assemble and reassemble. What could be easier? SwingTab reversible mounting strips give you more options for installation -- they might even eliminte the need for a custom made cap because SwingTabs give you increased installation versatility.
Best Knock-Down Design On The Market. Hinged panels come partially assembled. Just swing them open, drop in two hinge pins, and you're ready to install. Just think, no panels to bolt together, no tools to fumble with.
Wing Nuts or Cap Screws, Your Choice. Just like with other Gelco multi-flue tops, the Chimney Protector lid attaches with either wing nuts or cap screws. You get hardware for both options in every Chimney Protector carton. Just select the lid mounting option that suits you. With the wing nuts, you don't even need a tool. Or, use a nut driver and snug it down with bolts. Either way, it's quick, easy, and secure as a lid can be.
UL listing UL listed as part of a HomeSaver relining system using Pro, UltraPro, RoundFlex, RectangleFlex, or OvalFlex.


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Women played a vital role in Egypt's revolution, but a year later the effect of Hosni Mubarak's fall on the lives of women is still uncertain. Women from across Egypt's political spectrum are debating the role of Islam and the future of Egypt's female citizens.
Women led the men into Tahrir Square a year ago, said Sondos Asem, editor of the Muslim Brotherhood's English-language site. "On Jan. 25, me and my mother and sisters convinced my father and brothers to join us," she told moderator Andrew Sullivan. "We women stood at the forefront of the security barriers so the men could pass behind us," she said, explaining that Hosni Mubarak's security forces wouldn't attack them. "We broke the security barriers till we got to Tahrir Square."
But Namees Arnous, who quit her job at a news agency to join the revolution and now works for Bokra for Media Production, is worried the women of Egypt are being marginalized by the religious groups that have come to the fore since the fall of Mubarak. She says she appreciates the Muslim Brotherhood's efforts before the revolution, but has questions about their policies now that they're in power. And she was always against the Salafists, the hardline Islamic party that came in second behind the Brotherhood in Egypt's elections. They want to "put women inside a box inside the home," she said.
Sondos said it was important to respect the freedom of the Salafists, who were oppressed by Mubarak. "I think after revolution we need to accept our diversity and accept fact that we are different," she said. "I respect their right to wear hijab."
To which Arnous shot back, "I don't respect them to pollute my freedom. They have all right to wear hijab, but they have no right to tell me what to do."
Dalia Ziada, Egypt director of the American Islamic Congress, was also concerned about extremism, but said, "The problem is not with Islam or Christianity or any religion, it's with those who claim to speak in the name of God, those who want to play the role of God in people's lives."
Women, she said, were essential to Egypt's revolution—and there's more work to be done if they're going to benefit from it. "We have a lot of work to do now on behalf of women in Egypt," she said. "Tell people there is no spring without flowers, likewise there is no Arab Spring without women."


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From 1978 to 1983, Korg produced the MS-20, a two-oscillator analog synth that was patchable with 1/4-inch cables a lot like a custom modular synth setup (See the original below). People liked it because of its smooth sound and because the patch panel allowed you a limited degree of customizability without needing to invest in additional units. The MS-20 mini is this classic synth reborn in a tinier package.
According to Korg, the MS-20 mini's guts and sound are identical to the original's despite its smaller size. The 1/4-inch patch plugs have been replaced with 1/8-inch mini-plugs to accommodate the smaller size. The new synth has also been reworked for our digital days with USB-MIDI I/O. No word on price yet, but given Korg's usual range expect something in the $700 range. [Korg]